Episode 10: Jos Houben
Paul Hunter talks to performer, director and writer Jos Houben about the early days of Complicité, his upcoming book and his approach to physical comedy.
Jos Houben is internationally acclaimed as a leader in the field of Comedy and Physical Theatre.
Performing, writing, teaching, and directing world-wide for the past 30 years he has worked with leading international organisations and artists including: Peter Brook, Ecole Jacques Lecoq, The Right Size, Georges Aperghis, Theatre de Complicite- Simon McBurney, National Theatre London, Ragdoll Ltd, Thames TV, Opera North, Centre National Des Arts Du Cirque, British Council and Opéra Comique.
He has received the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award (1986, Theatre de Complicite) and Olivier Award for Best Entertainment (1999, The Right Size).
Houben’s one man show The Art of Laughter has been touring the word for the past 12 years. He has played month long stints to sell out audiences at the prestigious Rond Point Theater on the Champs Elysees three years in a row. The show is such a success that Jos was featured on the front page of France’s Le Monde and interviewed on national news channels.
In 2016 Jos did comedy directing for the hit West End musical Girls and toured extensively with the comedy duo Marcel.
He directed Czech Physical Theatre Company Squadra Sua’s new hit show Crossings which opened to wide acclaim in Prague in May 2019.
He is currently preparing two Operas for the Opéra Rennes and Opera Caen as well as a new movement based show with contemporary dancer Raphaelle Delaunay.
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